Vending-machine.



H. J. KEENAN.

VENDING MACHINE.

AYPLIUATION FILED, JULY 17, 191s.

H. J. KEENAN.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 17, 1913.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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VBNDING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED JULY 1v, 1913.

Patented Mar. 24, 1.914.

Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUGH J. KEENAN, or JACKSOHMICHIGAN, As'slenon.v or Two-THIRDS To CHARLES M.

BRAUND AND Louis n. BRAUND, 30TH or JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

vENnING-MCHINE.

Specleation of Letters Patent.

,Patented Mar. 24,1914.

Application tiled July 17, 1913. Serial No. 77tl,502. l

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH J. KEENAN, a citizen of the United States, residin at the city of Jackson, county of Jackson, tate of Michigan, have invented `certain new and useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is -a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide in a vending machine an improved coin lcontrolled actuating mechanism. Second, to provide in a vending machine an improved coin'V released locking mechanism. Third, to provide an improved vending machine, which is comparatively simple in structure, and one which is not likely to get out of repair in use.

Further objects and objects relating tojdetails and economies of structure and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description tc follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a `part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a front perspective view of a vending machine embodying the features of my invention. Fig. II is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. III. Fig. III is a detail horizontal section 0n a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is'an enlarged detail vertical section centrally through the coin holder on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. III. Fig. V is an enlarged det-ail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Figs. III and IV. Fig. VI is a detail vertical section showing the coin'holder and its locking pawlson a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Figs. III and V. Fig. VII is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 7-7 of Fig. I, showing details of the magazine coin chute and it's'closure. Fig. VIII is a front elevation of the coin holder and coin chute, the lower end of the coin chute and the supporting bar 10 being shown in vertical section. Fi IX is a perspective view of the base section of the cas- 1ng.

In the drawings similar reference charac- Aters refer to similar parts throughout the prises a base section 1, top section 2, thev top section hinged to the base section at 3, and being retained in its closed position by the lock 4. A dlscharge opening 5 is formed in the front side of the base section. The base section is provided with a suitable pedestal A 6. Thecasingis cylindrical to receive the cylindrical magazine, as shown in Fig. II. The magazine comprises a wheel-like body portion 7 having a journal 8, supported by supporting bars-9and l0. These supporting bars 9 and l() engage the rests or supports 11, on the base section of the casing so that the magazine is removably supported therein. The magazine is provided with a series The magazine casing is but slightly largerv than themagazine so that the peripheral wall of the casing holds the packages in the pockets; all of the pockets being closed eX- cept the one opposite the discharge opening 5.

A coin holder 14 is journaled at 15 on the supporting bar 10. This coin holder is provided with a plurality of peripheral pockets 16, int'o which the coins drop from the coin chute 17, the casin being provided'with an opening 18 adapte to receive the end of the chute. l

In the structure illustrated the coin holder is.provided with a peripheral groove 19, the coin pockets being ,formed by opposed notches in the walls of this groove. The front walls 2() of the notches are preferably in radial planes, the rear walls 21 being -inclined rearwardly to provide Haring pockets so that the coins will drop into the same more readily. Y

The coin holder is provided with a central opening 22, and with radial slots 23, conof peripheral pockets 12, secured on the body plane as the front walls of the pockets.

necting the pockets with this opening 22, the front walls of the slots being in the sage n one side of the coin holder is a gear or pinion 24, which is arranged -in mesh with an internal gear 25, secured to Ithe side of the magazine as shown in Figs. II and III. On its inner side the coin holder 14 is provided with ratchet teeth 26, the teeth being `formed by notches 27, in the side of the coin holder :-see Fig. VI.

The coin holder is locked against rotation in either direction by the pawls 28 and 29, which are mounted in acrossed relation on a pivot 30, common to both. These pawls have laterally oifset engagingportions 31. The jteeth 26 are spaced so that the coin holder has a limited movement while the pawls are engaged. To actuate the pawls in unison the links 32 are provided, which are connected with the upper ends of the pawls by the pivots 33 and the links are connected to each other by the pivot 34. The pivot 34 projects into a guide slot 35 on the bracket 36, on which the pawls are mounted. The pawl 28 is provided with a cam 2S with which the coin 37 engages during the initial movement of the coin holder, and owing to the link connection of the pawls as described, they are both disengaged through the coin as a connecting member.

- A plunger 3S is mounted to reciprocate in the plunger support 39. One end of the support 39 is mounted on the journal S and the other is supported by the pivot 41. The actuating lever 40| is pivoted at 41 and slotted. at 42 to receive the pin 43 on the plunger. On the lower end of the lever 40 is a Weight 44 by means of which the parts are returned to their initial position.' The actuating rod or link 45ris connected with the upper arm of the lever by the pivot 46, its outer end being arranged through the casing as sho-Wn in Fig. II. A suitable finger piece 47 is` provided for the link. The end 48 of the plunger reciprocates in the groove of the coin. holder so that it engages the-coin 37 centrally as is shown in Fig. IV.

In the event of. a coinv not dropping into the upright position shown in Fig. 4, the outwardly flared pockets effectively receive the same, and the coins are righted or swung into engagement with the front walls of the pockets when the plunger is actuated. The limited movement of the coin holder permitted by the pawls allows the coin to engage'- the cam 28 and lift the pawls from their engaged position. The continued stroke of' the plunger rotates the coin holder one step and through the connections described the magazine is rotated one step, bringing the succeeding pocket into register with the dlscharge opening 5. As the coin holderro-y yreceptable, not shown.

In order that coins below a predetermined size s hall not be effective for actuating the machine, the slots 23 are of such size as to permit such coins to drop from the pockets and be discharged through the central open- 1ng22 of the coin holder.

The machine illustrated is designed to be actuated by 5c pieces, and pennies and dimes would not be effective, but would drop from the coin holder.

If desired, means for conveying and discharging suchcoins to the outside of the casing could be provided. I have not illustrated such means herein.

In order to prevent the introduction of coins when the magazine is empty a slide closure 49 is provided, the same being mounted in a housing 50 above the 'coin chute opening. The closure 49 is provided My improved vending machine is quite Asimple and economical in structure and it is V at the same time positive in its operation and not likely to get out of repair.'

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain structural modilieations which I contemplate as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, to embody or adapt the same as may be deemed desirable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

l. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing, a rotatable magazine, an iuternal gear connected to said magazine to rotate therewith, a cylindrical coin holder having a series of coin pockets, a gear on one s ide of said coin holder meshing with said internal gear on said magazine, spaced ratchet teeth on the other side of said coin holder, a pair of pawls coacting therewith, said pawls being mounted in a crossed relation on a pivot common to both and being adapted to simultaneously engage the teeth of the coin holder ratchet, whereby the coin holder is held against rotation ineither direction, the ratchet teeth being spaced to :permit a limited movement of the coin holder while the pawls are engaged therewith, a pair-of links pivotally mounted on the upper ends of the pawls and pivotally connected to each other, a guide slot with jwhich the" pivot connecting the links engages, acam disposed on one of said pawls to be engaged by a coin in the coin holder when the holder is rotated, a plunger arranged to engage a coin held by lthe coin constituting a connector between the plunger and holder and engaging'the said cam on said pawl whereby the pawls are released during the initial movement of the coin holder. e

2. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing, a magazine, a cylindricaln rotatable coin holder-having a series of peripheral coink pockets, said coin holder being geared to said magazine, spaced ratchet teeth on said coin holder, a pair of pawls co acting therewith, said pawls being mounted in a crossed relation on a pivot common to bothl and being adapted to simultaneously engage the teeth of the coin holder ratchet, whereby the coin holder is held against rotation in either direction, the ratchet teeth being spaced to permit a limited movement of the coin holder while the pawls are 'engaged therewith, a pair of links pivotally mounted on the upper ends of the pawls and pivotally connected to each other, a guide slot with which the pivot connecting the links engages, a cam disposed on one of said pawls to be engaged by a coin in the coin.

holder when VVthe holder is rotated, a plunger arranged to engage a coin held by the coin holder when the plunger is actuated, and means for actuating the plunger, the coin constituting a connector between the plunger and holder and engaging the said cam on said pawl whereby the pawls are released during the initial movement of the coin holder.

3. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing, a rotatable magazine, an internal gear connected to said magazine torotate therewith, a cylindlrical, coin' holder having a'peripheral groove therein and a series of coin pockets, a gear on one side of said coin holder meshing vwith said internal gear on said magazine, ratchet teeth on the other side of said coin holder, a locking pawl coacting therewith, a plunger arranged with its end in the groove of the coin holder to engage a coin held thereby when the plunger is actuated, and means for actuating the plunger, the coin constituting a connector between the plunger and holder and engaging the said pawl whereby the pawl is released during the initial movement of the vcoin holder and the actuation of said plunger rotates the coin holder. n

4. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing, a rotatable magazine, an internal gear connected to said magazine -to rotate therewith, a cylindrical coin holder having a series of coin pockets, a gear on one side of said coin holder meshing with said internalgear on said magazine, ratchet teeth on the other side of said coin holder, a locking pawl coacting therewith, a plunger arranged to engage a coin held by the coin holder when the plunger is actuated,

and means for actuating the plunger, the coin constituting a connector between the plunger and holder and' engaging the said pawlfwhereby the pawl-is released during the initial movement of the coin holder and the actuation of said plunger rotates the coin holder.

5. In a :vending machine, in combination 'i with a'casing, a rotatable magazine, a gear connected to said magazine to rotate therewith, a cylindrical coin holder having a peripheral groove therein and a series of pockets formed by opposed slot-like notches in the Walls of the groove, the front walls `of the notches being radial, the rear walls being inclined rearwardly, there 'being radial slots leading from each pocket to a central opening in the holder,.the width of said slots being slightly less than the width of said pockets, a gear on one side of said coin holder meshing with said gear on said magazine, spaced ratchet teeth on the other side of said coin holder, a locking pawl coactin'g therewith, a plunger arranged with its end in the groove ofthe coin holder to engage a coin held thereby and means for actuating the plunger, the.k coin constituting a connection between the plunger and holder whereby the actuation of said plunger rotates said holder, and said coinl engaging said pawl to release the same during the initial movement of the coin holder.

6. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing, a rotatable magazine, a gear connected to said magazine to rotate therewith, a cylindrical coin holder having a peripheral groove therein and a series of pockets formed by opposed slot-like notches in the walls of the grooves, the front' walls of the notches being radial, the rear walls being inclined rearwardly, a gear on said coin holder meshing with said gear on said magazine, ratchetteeth on said coin holder, a lockingpawl coacting therewith,a plunger arranged with its end in the groove of the coin holderto engage a coin held thereby and means for actuating the plunger, vthe coin constituting a connection between the plunger and holder whereby the actuation of said plunger rotates said holder and said .coin en avin said awl to release the .same

. s g P ios \ holder and means for actuating the ing in the holder, the width of said slots being slightly less than the widthbf said pockets, driving connections between said coin holder and Said magazine,

ranged with its endin the groove of the coin holder to engage a coin-held thereby,

and means for actuating the plunger, the coin constituting a connection between the plunger and holder whereby the actuation of said plunger rotates said holder.

S. In a vending machine, in combination with a casing', a magazine, a rotatable cylindrical coin holder having a series of peripheral pockets therein there being radialperipheral coin pockets, a gear on said coin holder meshing with the said internal gear on said magazine, a ratchet on said holder, a locking pawl coacting therewith, and an actuating plunger, adapted to engage a coin held by said holder, said coin constituting a connector between said plunger and coin holder, whereby the actuation of said plunger rotates said holder and said coin being adapted to engage the pawl during the 1mt-ial movement of the holder whereby the pawl is released.

10. In a vending machine, the combination of a easing, comprising base and top sections, a cylindrical magazine having peripheral pockets open at their outer ends, supporting bars on which said magazine is journaled disposed at the sides thereof, the base section of said casing being provided with rests for supporting bars, an internal gear secured to said magazine at one side, a gear journaled on one of said sup ortlng bars in mesh with said last name gear, a coin holder connected with said gear a plunger mounted on such supporting bar and adapted to engage a coin in said holder, the coin constituting a connector between the holder and plunger, a weighted lever mounted on the supporting bar on whichy said plunger and gear are mounted and having' a pin and slot connection with the plunger, and an actuating link pivoted on said lever with its end extended through the casing. n

In `witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.`

vlIaIUGrI-I J. KEENAN. [L 5.] Witnesses:

CLEVELAND G. PARSHALL, MABEL ALLINGTON. 

